Bronny James gets real about his health scare.
Speaking in a new interview with Men’s Health, published on Tuesday, October 15, the 20-year-old Los Angeles Lakers player shared how he suffered a cardiac arrest in July 2023 when he was just 18 years old.
The athlete, who is the eldest son of LeBron James and Savannah James, told the newspaper that everything was normal on the day of the emergency medical service. He drank his smoothie and was doing jogging exercises at the University of Southern California when he says he passed out and has no recollection of the moment.
Asked if he was worried about being able to play basketball again, Bronny said: “At the time it happened, there were a whole bunch of categories that what happened could fall under, so yeah. There were a lot of emotions…”
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Bronny James during the Lakers game against the Phoenix Suns on October 6, 2024.
Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty
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Following a “cardiac incident”, Bronny was diagnosed with an “anatomically and functionally significant congenital heart defect” in August 2023 and underwent surgery before beginning the rehabilitation process.
Bronny went on to talk about his journey to recovery and shared how his life has changed.
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LeBron James and Bronny James warm up before the Lakers vs. Golden State Warriors game on Oct. 15, 2024.
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“I really overcame my routines to get back to where I was,” he said Men’s health. “I had to do breathing exercises and stuff like that. It was a total reset.”
“I have to keep up with my heart meds and — I got a heart pillow,” he continued.
Bronny explained: “When I coughed it used to hurt a bit, but you get this pillow and when you cough you just hold it so it doesn’t hurt.”
“My days are no longer normal,” he added. “I still feel like I’m going back, I’m going back to where I was.”
Back in June, Bronny was selected 55th in the second round of the NBA draft by the Los Angeles Lakers.
With his NBA debut this fall, the athlete joined his father on the Lakers, making them the first father and son to play in any NBA game at the same time, CNN writes.
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education